One man killed, two others injured and one in custody after violent home invasion at Christie Downs
A MAN who died after being stabbed in a home invasion at Christie Downs – apparently over a $200 drug debt – has been described as having a “heart of gold”. Another man has been charged with murder.
A MAN who died after being stabbed in the neck in a home invasion at Christie Downs – apparently over a $200 drug debt – has been described as having a “heart of gold”.
Major Crime detectives on Saturday morning charged a 21-year old O’Sullivan Beach man with the murder of Benjamin Gravett, who died outside the Anne Close group of Housing SA units on Finian St about 9.30pm Friday.
Another man was arrested by detectives at a Morphett Vale address just before 11am Saturday, however no charges have yet been laid against him.
Police said a group of men allegedly forced their way into one of the units before a fight broke out between them and the occupants, including Mr Gravett, 29.
He stumbled outside chased by a group of men before collapsing and dying from blood loss at the scene.
One witness, who did not want to be named, said he heard a loud fight erupt in the nearby unit before the melee spilt outside.
“They chased (Mr Gravett) and jumped him, about five of them,” he said.
“I heard the screams and came out and saw three dudes running towards a car, then (Ben) came stumbling through the units and collapsed on the ground.”
Mr Gravett’s cousin, Stacey Hammer, said she had planned on spending New Year’s Eve with him.
“I spoke to him probably five hours before all this happened, my last words to him were ‘love you cuz, I’ll see you tomorrow’ because he was meant to come around for New Year’s drinks,” Ms Hammer said.
“Last night I spent hours crying and now I’m past the point of crying all I can feel now is hatred and remorse.”
Ms Hammer said while Mr Gravett had himself been in trouble with the law, he was always willing to help those less fortunate.
“If there was a homeless person on the side of the road he’d go up and give them three bucks and say ‘go get yourself a feed’ — that’s who Ben was, he had a heart of gold,” Ms Hammer said.
Another resident said the run-down block of units was a haven for drug addicts and violence.
“I find syringes on the ground all the time, the Housing Trust place drug addicts, alcoholics and mentally ill people all here together with old people and people with young kids,
“It’s just putrid and disgusting and it’s a recipe for disaster, I can’t believe they place families with young children here to put up with this.”
The 21-year old resident of the unit where the fight started was taken to Flinders Medical Centre with serious but non-life threatening injuries and a third victim, aged 25, was treated for minor injuries at Noarlunga Hospital.
A yellow 1990 Ford Courier Crew utility believed to be connected to the incident was set alight in Oswin Court, Morphett Vale, around 5am on Saturday.
It is not known how many men were involved and police have not revealed a motive but residents said they believed the fight may have started over a $200 drug debt owed by Mr Gravett’s friend to other men.
Forensic officers and detectives returned to the scene on Saturday morning after conducting extensive inquiries until early on Saturday.
“Police were called to an address on Finian Road in relation to an altercation involving several males,” South Coast LSA Superintendent Yvette Clark said late on Friday night.
“Some weapons were produced and it appears one male has received some stab and cutting injuries which resulted in his death.
“Another male has been taken to hospital where he is currently receiving treatment but his injuries are not expected to be life threatening.
“It looks like it wasn’t random and all the people knew each other.
“Hopefully once we get through more of the investigation we can narrow down who we are looking for and how many people were involved”
Police have appealed for anyone who saw the yellow Ford ute at Christies Down or Morphett Vale to contact them.
Anyone with other information that may assist the investigation also is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.